The major drought that has taken hold of the Midwest is causing many problems.  One of the unexpected issues from the lack of rain is houses are shifting and becoming uneven due to the soil contracting. Homes are becoming casualties of the weather.

Some of the recent news stories regarding the drought and it’s affect on foundations are:

Drought causing foundation problems in Iowa homes

DES MOINES | This year’s record drought is hurting more than crops and lawns, it’s also hurting Iowa homes’ foundations, according to experts.

The extreme drought has caused ground surrounding Iowa homes to contract and pull away from foundations, causing them to shift.

That’s led to widening cracks in walls, sticking windows and doors and nails popping from walls, ceilings and floors.

“Right now, we are getting calls daily,” said Justin Porter, owner of Iowa Foundation Repair of Des Moines. He and his crew have been working on a house in Des Moines’ west side, shoring up a foundation where big gaps had emerged between concrete blocks.
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Drought causes foundation problems

This summer’s drought conditions are not only heating up temperatures.

The dry weather is also heating up business for local foundation repair contractors.

Justin Boska has lived in his Columbia home for more 11 years and has never seen a foundation problem like this one.  His doors are sticking.  His walls and windows are cracking.  His foundation is slipping because the ground supporting his house is drying up.
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Drought Causing Home Foundations to Crack

The amazingly dry conditions in Illinois are proving troublesome for more than just farmers losing crops. Homeowners report foundations are shifting due to the dought, and the repairs generally aren’t covered by insurance.

Some houses in the region have visible gaps and large cracks in their siding, brickwork and drywall, and residents are experiencing sticking windows and doors due to a lack of moisture in the houses’ clay foundations.
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